War
US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next?
US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next? The US launched a surprise attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, using “bunker buster” bombs and Tomahawk missiles in the early hours of June 22, 2025. The strike was likely intended to cripple […]
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Iran-Israel ‘threshold war’ has rewritten nuclear escalation rules
Iran-Israel ‘threshold war’ has rewritten nuclear escalation rules The Iran-Israel “threshold war” has rewritten nuclear escalation rules, marking a new and terrifying form of conflict where a nuclear weapons power seeks to use force to prevent an enemy on the verge of nuclearization from making that jump. The conflict has created an inherently unstable escalation […]
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Even if Putin and Zelenskyy do go face-to-face, don’t expect wonders − their one meeting in 2019 ended in failure
Even if Putin and Zelenskyy do go face-to-face, don’t expect wonders − their one meeting in 2019 ended in failure The Normandy Format talks between Ukraine and Russia, led by European leaders, have been stalled since 2019 due to disagreements on sequencing key parts of a peace plan. The talks ultimately ended in failure, with […]
🏛️ Politics
Russia’s invasion united different parts of Ukraine against a common enemy – 3 years on, that unanimity still holds
Russia’s invasion united different parts of Ukraine against a common enemy – 3 years on, that unanimity still holds Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 united different parts of the country against a common enemy, leading to a largely stalemated conflict that has lasted for three years. The study found that even those Ukrainians who […]
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50 years later, Vietnam’s environment still bears the scars of war – and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine
50 years later, Vietnam’s environment still bears the scars of war – and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine The Vietnam War had devastating environmental consequences, including widespread deforestation, pollution, and contamination of soil and water. The US government initially denied responsibility for Agent Orange cleanup, but eventually agreed to remediate contaminated sites […]
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For Scale
For Scale The US spent $352 billion on the Vietnam War, but only $750 million has been allocated for bomb removal efforts. It’s estimated that it will take another 100 years of sustained work to decontaminate all of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia of explosives. Only 7.6% of contaminated areas in Vietnam have been deemed safe […]
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The Thucydides Trap: Vital lessons from ancient Greece for China and the US … or a load of old claptrap?
The Thucydides Trap: Vital lessons from ancient Greece for China and the US … or a load of old claptrap? The “Thucydides Trap” refers to a concept coined by Graham Allison that suggests rising powers provoke anxiety in established ones, leading to conflict. However, this framing risks oversimplifying Thucydides’ work and distorting its deeper philosophical […]
🏛️ Politics
With its executive order targeting the Smithsonian, the Trump administration opens up a new front in the history wars
With its executive order targeting the Smithsonian, the Trump administration opens up a new front in the history wars A portrait of President Donald Trump in the 'America’s Presidents' exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery. Win McNamee/Getty Images I teach history in Connecticut, but I grew up in Oklahoma and Kansas, where my […]
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The Gaza ceasefire is dead − Israeli domestic politics killed it
The Gaza ceasefire is dead − Israeli domestic politics killed it Buildings and a ceasefire left in ruins after airstrikes on March 18, 2025. Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images The ceasefire in Gaza appears to be over. And while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to blame Hamas for the resumption of fighting that […]
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